NI’s Mental Health Champion is also calling for a Programme for Government to be published urgently.

1/ To be effective, school policies around mobile devices should be co-designed with the pupils. Careful consideration needs to be given to access to devices for: -accessibility (e.g. disabled/ neurodivergent children) -management of health conditions -safety & mental health

2/ We need to equip young people with the skills to use technology to their advantage, & emotional regulation, self awareness skills to recognise & manage problematic use. It's part of social & emotional learning, & relationships education. Let's get this into ALL our schools.

Good to see NI Commissioner for Children and Young People response to Education NI #smartphone guidance. The evidence for a link with poor mental health is weak & mixed. Smartphone use can support good mental health. The recommended approaches may have a negative impact. A more nuanced approach is preferable.

⚠️Paramilitarism & poor mental health are inextricably linked in NI. Today's report highlights the devastating consequences of this trauma on the mental health of our population. Young people living in areas of elevated paramilitary activity have an 8 times higher risk of PTSD.

Good to finally see a Prog for Govt💛 It's *all* mental health, but I'll be hammering home the need to ensure that health waiting times includes mental health services & public services transformation includes the transformation plan that we already have for mental health 🤨

Timely report frm London School of Economics Value for money: How to improve wellbeing & reduce misery. 🔝 priority should be Psychological Therapies They cost nothing in real terms because they lead to huge savings overall. full list below 👇🏽

📅 10 September: #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. WSPD is next week, and we want to remind people that talking about difficult feelings, including suicidal thoughts, doesn’t have to be scary. Help us spread the word. 💚 Find out more bit.ly/34sfcMK

It is estimated that currently more than 700,000 suicides occur per year worldwide, and each suicide profoundly affects many more people. This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, let us aim to change the narrative on suicide and #StartTheConversation. More info: iasp.info/wspd/

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. Please take the time to share this post. Your outreach might be the lifeline someone desperately needs. Together, we can help save lives. Let's break the silence and stigma surrounding suicide. 💜 #WSPD #WSPD24 #SuicidePrevention

Suicide is Preventable. “Start the conversation. Every chat, no matter how small, builds a more supportive & understanding society. Together, we can make a difference & prioritise suicide prevention, ensuring everyone gets the help they need”International Association for Suicide Prevention #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

“Changing the narrative on suicide requires systemic change. It's about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.” International Association for Suicide Prevention #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

For many people, the fear of worrying others, making others feel uncomfortable and being misunderstood can stop them from sharing their suicidal thoughts. So this #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, lets break the stigma and talk in-depth about suicide. 💚 👉🏻samaritans.org/how-we-can-hel…

Let's break the silence and change the narrative on suicide. We are all in this together to save young lives. 💜 To view the full post, please go to our Instagram @papyrus_uk #WSPD24 #SuicidePrevention

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay If you’re struggling to cope, don’t suffer alone. Talk to Lifeline today. Trained counsellors like Ben can provide immediate help and support to anyone in crisis or despair. 📞0808 808 8000 💻lifelinehelpline.info

World Suicide Prevention day may be over, but we will keep the conversation going 365 days a year. Will you join us? Remember: It’s OK to ask someone if they are feeling suicidal. Asking can help them open up, and start a conversation that could save their life.

Writing in today's The Irish News, Siobhán O'Neill (she/her) said "it will be a monumental failure if our Executive cannot find this money to address" mental health. She added it would require "collaboration, courage and maturity". irishnews.com/news/northern-…

‘It will be a monumental failure if Executive cannot find money to address poor mental health’ MHC Siobhán O'Neill (she/her) details that more needs to be done to transform our historically under funded mental health services. irishnews.com/news/northern-…

Platform piece on the Mental Health Strategy implementation- main points🧵 "much of the activity refers to reviews, plans & key appointments, rather than the much needed funding for the community & voluntary sector, & expansion of services & training places to address vacancies"

"political parties have claimed that mental health is a priority, our executive claim that transformation and invest to save are their goals. Yet the one plan we have for transformation of a vital and extremely cost-effective element of health care has not been supported."